Congratulations, Carrie!

Congratulations go out today to Carrie, a recent graduate of EmpowerTech’s Blind/Low Vision Computer Training Program who completed her training as of March 31, 2009.
Carrie came to EmpowerTech in the latter half of 2008, from a blue-collar background with jobs including, among other things, sheet metal work in shipyards. Her vision loss began in 2003 as the result of myopathy related to multiple sclerosis and culminated in complete blindness in 2007. After hearing about assistive technology for the blind, specifically the JAWS for Windows screen reader, she recognized the potential for computers to enable her to pursue postsecondary vocational training. After a brief stint at the Davidson Program for Independence (DPI) at Junior Blind of America, she came to EmpowerTech and set about learning JAWS, becoming computer-literate and mastering the essentials of Microsoft Word, Excel, e-mail with Microsoft Outlook and use of the Internet. She was hard-working, diligent and focused, showing good initiative in a number of areas. Where Excel can send even sighted people running from the room with an attack of the screaming heeby-jeebies, Carrie not only finished the Excel component of the program well ahead of her classmates, she took on extra projects of her own design, even reveling in it. She quickly realized the liberating potential of the Internet in terms of enhancing her personal independence and productivity and, at the first indications that she was ready, began online banking and one of her favorite activities: shopping.
It's easy for many people, even those without any sort of disability, to go through life looking only after themselves, doggedly pursuing their particular goals and personal agendas with little regard for others. Despite her two significant physical issues, multiple sclerosis and resulting blindness, Carrie went about her business with a quiet strength, determination, dignity and grace. Fueled by a desire to be the best that she could be, both for herself and for others, she acted as a mentor to classmates in need, explaining and helping them to understand difficult concepts or methods of doing things when instructors were unavailable to provide assistance. Not only did this provide welcome relief for the instructors at times, but it also fostered a sense of teamwork which proved beneficial to all involved.
Now that Carrie has completed the training program, she has immediately set new goals for herself. Her first goal is to master reading and writing Braille. At a time when only 10 percent of the blind population chooses to learn Braille, this is a laudable undertaking that, if achieved, will pay massive dividends to her in terms of literacy, personal productivity and the joy of the simple pleasure of leisure reading.
Secondly, unlike many blind people who feel compelled to pursue training for the "job du jour" promoted by many rehabilitation agencies throughout the country, Carrie wants to undertake vocational training that's in line with one of her passions: cooking or baking. Toward that end, she plans to enroll in culinary arts courses next fall at a local school.
We congratulate Carrie on her graduation, extend heartfelt thanks to her for all that she has done for her fellow classmates, and we wish her every success in all of her future endeavors.